FRISCO, Texas -- Looking for ways to improve a defense that is 31st in yards and 26th in points allowed through five games, the Dallas Cowboys are bringing in longtime NFL coach Mike Pettine as a senior defensive assistant to work with defensive coordinator Christian Parker.
"It's something we've been talking about for a long time," head coach Brian Schottenheimer said. "I think as we looked at everything, we had a chance to convince Pett that it made sense for him. I think he's excited about coming in and adding experience and value. The most important thing for us was making sure we got the right guy, and I feel very, very confident that we did."
Parker approached Pettine, 60, about joining the staff in a similar role after he was hired in January, but Pettine had just announced his retirement. Schottenheimer said the move would have been made even if the Cowboys had beaten the previously winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday.